Tesla to expand battery technology to homes, businesses

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE and JONATHAN FAHEY

FOSTER CITY, Calif. (AP) — Tesla CEO Elon Musk is trying to steer his electric car company's battery technology into homes and businesses as part of an elaborate plan to reshape the power grid with millions of small power plants made of solar panels on roofs and batteries in garages.

Musk, a billionaire, is expected to announce Tesla's expansion into the home battery market Thursday evening in southern California. He is renowned for pursuing far-out projects. For instance, colonizing Mars is one of Musk's goals at Space X, a rocket maker that he also runs.

Although the battery will be made by Tesla, it's expected to be sold as part of a package with a solar power system by SolarCity, a solar installer founded by Musk's cousins, Lyndon and Peter Rive. Musk is SolarCity's chairman and largest shareholder.

As with Tesla's electric cars, which start around $70,000, the battery will probably be too expensive for most consumers. The system is expected to cost several thousand dollars, discouraging widespread adoption, especially for a product that may only have limited use.

FULL story at link.



In this April 20, 2015 photo, David Cunnigham shows a prototype Tesla battery system that powers his Foster City, Calif. home. Cunnigham installed the battery late last year to pair with his solar panels as part of a pilot program run by the California Public Utilities Commission to test home battery performance. Tesla is expected to unveil a stationary battery for homeowners and businesses on Thursday, April 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20150430/us--tesla-battery_power_for_homes-6eb7c5861e.html

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. 'Several thousand dollars' is a lot cheaper than 70k cars.

And as I think I've said before, tying battery systems into houses, even without a solar system, is going to let you pull power during cheap hours (at night) and use the battery during peak use hours, which works well with programs a number of providers have that let you get cheaper power if they can limit you during peak hours.

[TerrapinFlyer]

2. Air-Conditioning costs "several thousand dollars" too...

Not sure why they are making this sound expensive compared to the overall price of a new home.

All new homes should have these installed.

[GreatGazoo]

4. "they are making this sound expensive compared to the overall price of a new home...planet

We have to get off of hydro carbon fuels ASAP. This is a step in the right direction.

[truthisfreedom]

3. Jeepers, who payed this writer off?

[damyank913]

5. Interesting concept but I don't think it will catch on.

Seems to me that most people that can afford an $18,000 battery (it doesn't have enough capacity to power an air conditioner) would opt for an emergency generator instead. More economical would be a solar system for hot water heating. Hot water heaters are the largest energy hogs in American homes. Getting those off the grid would be hugely beneficial. This technology has been around for a long time and it isn't cost prohibitive.

Nevertheless, I suppose it's worth a try.

[itsrobert]

6. Actually, the $18,000 was a pre production model. This article is already outdated

"Mr. Musk says “power wall” batteries—ranging from a $3,000 7 kilowatt-hour wall-mounted unit to a $3,500 10 kwh unit—cost far less than the going rate for large-scale batteries and can be easier to install."

http://www.wsj.com/articles/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-unveils-line-of-home-and-industrial-battery-packs-1430461622

[damyank913]

8. The capacity is in the right ballpark...

...depending on labor rates; we're looking at around a $10K install. Not terrible but still pricey.

[Sunlei]

7. I think Telsa should sell at the wholesale price direct to consumers, the mark-up is way to high.

[hunter]

9. That kind of money would build quite a few houses like these:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017262655

[IDemo]

10. Left unstated about the system in most of these articles

is that this isn't simply a battery/inverter to backup households. It will also be able to supply valuable "ancillary services" to the power grid such as spinning reserves and voltage and frequency regulation. Utilities don't all currently accept such services from the customer base, but as they do, the credit on your power bill may help provide a significant payback on the initial cost of the system. It's the same technology effectively as the 'Vehicle-to-Grid' concept, which Tesla has been deeply involved with.

Here's more on the "10 Things Likely To Be Missing From Tesla’s Stationary Storage News".